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Topic: Kennebec Central locomotives (Read 5668 times)

A question occurred to me the other day when I was perusing my limited 2 foot library. (small and ragged)It is pretty well known, how #3 and #4 went by land to their short careers on the WW&F as #8 and #9. (Well, OK #9 took a vacation and will shortly embark on a long and glorious second phase!)My question is; how did they get to the KC to begin with? For that matter, How did #1 and #2 get there? I would guess floated, but perhaps some narrow minded fellow, broad of knowledge, can enlighten me.

Of 3 & 4, one or both may have come in on the trolley line. I read somewhere that the cylinder was broken in the transfer. The current #9 has cylinder damage that could have happened at that time. I stand corrected on all this statement.

Thanks for the prompt response. I had never considered the trolley line. Makes a lot more sense than off loading them to a skiff for a voyage across the Kennebec.Was the trolley line fairly close to the KC at Togus?

I seem to remember something about them coming across the bridge from Gardiner. Perhaps I am mistaken, but thought I read that someplace...If this is correct, they would have been delivered by Maine Central, Farmington, Me. to Gardiner, Me. routing. I will look that up when I get a sec. Going to set my books out so I can look tonight.

Yes. That was a weak Wooden Bridge at the time. But I found the answer. The equipment was hauled across the Kennebec River on Ferries or ice in the winter, so it arrived in Gardiner.(Page 13 & 14, Two Feet to Togus). This is how it was done originally, can only assume that is how it was done for the Locomotives 3 & 4

Back to our "Two Feet to Togus" Bible Page 57 "(#3) The B&SR locomotive was brought across the Kennebec River from Gardiner to Randolph by barge on September 3, 1920." Page 64: (#4) According to Ken Cain.........this engine was shipped to Augusta, where it was then taken over the electric railway to Togus. At that point it was winched onto Kennebec Central rails over temporary trackage. In the process, one of the cylinders was cracked, and T.W. Dick of Randolph was hired to make the necessary repairs.

I really didn't think there could be such plethora of Portland portage possibilities! There is much to Ponder! The story about the original engine(s) coming across the ice from Randolph reminds me of an old print in a book about the Pennsylvania which depicts coaches being hauled across temporary track laid on the ice-bound Susquehanna river at Havre De Grace, MD sometime during the 1840-50s. Cold winters, then! And braver men than I!

I will purchase Two Feet to Togus, probably on my next visit. Somehow it just feels right buying it in person!